Apple Assembling Some iMacs in U.S.A.

Some owners of the brand new 21.5-inch iMacs are receiving machines with “Assembled in USA” stamped on the back of the units. Apple has historically reserved the “U.S.A.” badge for devices that are ordered with modifications/additions or refurbished units. Earlier rumors claimed possible iMac shipment delays due to manufacturing constraints, it is possible that American resources were pulled to make up for any shortages.

What does “Assembled in USA” actually mean? According to the FTC:

For the “assembly” claim to be valid, the product’s last “substantial transformation” also should have occurred in the U.S. That’s why a “screwdriver” assembly in the U.S. of foreign components into a final product at the end of the manufacturing process doesn’t usually qualify for the “Assembled in USA” claim.

Apparently simply taking a series of foreign components and screwing them together does not constitute the “Assembled” moniker.